W&L Community Fuels Unprecedented Fundraising Results W&L Fund exceeds $11 million for the first time in history as campaign total surpasses $628 million.

Washington and Lee University’s vibrant tradition of philanthropy shined during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, thanks to 9,612 donors who made gifts supporting university priorities for a collective total of $84,771,740 — the second-highest single-year fundraising result in the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign and the third strongest in W&L history.

Thousands of people from all areas of the W&L community came together to deliver a landmark year. For the first time in university history, the W&L Fund exceeded $11 million for a staggering $11.7 million finish — nearly $1 million over the $10.9 million annual goal. The exceptional outcome includes the Washington and Lee University School of Law achieving its $1.4 million W&L Law Fund goal. Close to 750 volunteers drove the W&L Fund’s record-breaking success.

W&L Fund Chair Caroline Boone Mitchell ’89, P’23, P’25, P’28 attributes the year’s success to the people behind the dollars. “The commitment that our community has made to supporting our students and sustaining the transformative impact of a W&L education is truly incredible,” she said. “In addition to extraordinary philanthropic support for the W&L Fund, hundreds of volunteers have given their time, energy and passion to an institution we all love.”

“In addition to extraordinary philanthropic support for the W&L Fund, hundreds of volunteers have given their time, energy and passion to an institution we all love.” – Caroline Boone Mitchell ’89, P’23, P’25, P’28

W&L’s donors kept pace with the university’s ambitious objectives for the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign, which reached $628.4 million — only 3.3% away from achieving the $650 million goal. Each priority advances W&L’s mission to provide a world-class education to its students, and collective support has fueled the largest campaign in the university’s 277-year history. The Law School exceeded its stretch campaign goal of $55 million, raising more than $57.2 million. Campaign contributions have supported achieving need-blind admissions, opening two new campus buildings with another under construction, renovating space in Special Collections and Archives, enhancing student opportunities and more.

The Lettie Pate Evans Society, W&L’s newest community of donors celebrating women’s philanthropic leadership, reached its membership goal of 309 — one for each million the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation has contributed to the university — and set a stretch goal to achieve 350 by the campaign’s conclusion. To date, members have given more than $120 million to the campaign.

“I cannot adequately express the pride I feel for Washington and Lee at this moment,” Campaign Council Chair Billy Webster ’79, P’20, P’22 said. “Through the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign, our community has expressed its deep commitment to two principles that make W&L what it is today: continuity and change — continuity that sustains enduring values of honor, integrity and civility, and change that enables the university to equip our students with the skills and the courage to embrace the world’s challenges and opportunities. I am grateful to the entire W&L family.”

Alumni from classes ending in 1 and 6 celebrated milestone reunions this year, fueling fundraising momentum and reaffirming a shared commitment to their alma mater. Collectively, reunion classes gave more than $24.1 million to W&L, and 200 volunteers sparked support and engagement among peers. Reunion classes set a new record for single-year gifts to the W&L Fund ($2.3 million) and overshot last year’s total for gifts and pledges to the W&L Fund by more than $1 million, raising $9.2 million. A record 306 alumni from reunion classes gave at leadership levels as members of The President’s Society and four classes achieved W&L Fund totals of $1 million or more  — the Class of 2006 being the youngest to date. The Class of 2001 raised more in outright support for W&L than any reunion class in program history, contributing $10 million in honor of its 25th reunion. The Class of 1976 raised more than $8.1 million overall and set a new record by documenting 18 planned gifts to W&L.

Young philanthropists also stepped up, with the Class of 2026 contributing more than $10,000 to the W&L Fund and achieving an impressive 75% participation rate. The Class of 2026 will receive permanent recognition at Webster Family Plaza, where an engraved paver will be installed. The senior class also celebrated victory over the Class of 2001 during a friendly participation challenge leading up to Alumni Weekend, marking the first time the seniors have beaten the 25th reunion class.

“The success of our class’s engagement reflects our shared love and gratitude for our time at W&L,” said Senior Gift Co-Chair Reagan Radocesky ’26. “It was truly a blessing to spend four years here, and it is evident that my classmates felt the same way. While we may no longer be students, I am confident that the Class of 2026 will continue to engage with the W&L community in this new chapter of our lives.”

Parents gave more than $1.84 million to the W&L Fund in 2025-2026, smashing the year’s $1.6 million goal. With Anne Faircloth P’26 and Fred Beaujeu-Dufour P’26 serving as co-chairs, Parents Leadership Council membership grew to 202 families — 30 more members than the previous year — marking an exciting increase in leadership giving. “Fred and I are thrilled to see the growth in W&L Fund participation among parents, who value the transformative experience Washington and Lee provides for our children,” Faircloth said. “Thank you to everyone who helped us exceed our goals.”

“As the campaign enters its final year, I’m grateful for the momentum we have built together and how our supporters consistently rise to meet the university’s most important strategic priorities.” – Susan Wood, vice president for University Advancement

“There are so many stories to tell about what the Washington and Lee community has accomplished this year, including achieving a historic W&L Fund total,” said Susan Wood, vice president for University Advancement. “As the Leading Lives of Consequence campaign enters its final year, I’m grateful for the momentum we have built together and how our supporters consistently rise to meet the university’s most important strategic priorities. The progress we’ve made together is extraordinary, and I’m excited to see where that dedication and generosity will take us as we bring this campaign to a successful close.”